Arizona Seeks Public Comment on Management

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is accepting comments on improving the hunt guidelines to continue the sustainable management of the state’s game animals, while providing as much hunting recreation as possible.

Comments on the existing hunt guidelines may be submitted through Feb. 15 at azgamebranch@azgfd.gov, or by mail to Hunt Guidelines, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.

“This is the public’s opportunity to get involved in the nuts and bolts of this bi-annual process,” said Big Game Management Supervisor Amber Munig. “We are seeking your ideas, comments, concerns, or observations on how to meet the many demands by our varied hunting public, as well as fostering new opportunities for continuing our hunting heritage for future generations.”

The hunt guidelines provide the biological and social parameters that make up the “recipes” used by wildlife managers to formulate the annual hunt recommendations (season structures, season lengths, season dates, permits allocated, etc.) and results in the hunts in which sportsmen, women and children participate in.

However, wildlife biologists note that while wildlife is held in the public’s trust, and hunting opportunity is important, using science-based principles in shaping the guideline process remains paramount to assure healthy, sustainable, and diverse wildlife populations in perpetuity.

After all the comments are received, reviewed and processed, the department will host public meetings across the state to present the proposed revisions, answer questions, and collect any further public input. A final draft will then be prepared and posted at the department’s website prior to being presented to the Game and Fish Commission in September.